By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Brandon Twp.-The township is doing well according to the results of the 2015 audit.

Ken Palka of accounting firm Pfeffer, Hanniford and Palka, presented the findings at the board’s June 6 meeting.

“Overall, the township is in good shape,” said Palka. “You’ve improved your fund balance, that is good to see.”

As of Dec. 31,2015, the township had $1,882,444 in revenue and $1,687,503 in expenditures, resulting in a net increase of $194,941 to the fund balance, although with some end of year transfers among funds, it was accounted at $192,465.

The fire department had a net increase in the operating fund balance of $23,574 over 2014, but decreases in the equipment and housing fund, with the 2015 ending fund balance down $46,354 over the previous year to $413,484; and the ambulance fund down $72,789, ending at $493,989. The fire department had to make some expensive purchases, including an ambulance in 2015 and Palka noted the decreases were “not too bad,” with fire still having a healthy fund balance overall of roughly $1.2 million.

Palka was very pleased with the positive increase in the police fund balance, a direct result of the voters passing a millage for police. At the end of 2014, the police fund balance was just $28,000, but the audit shows that as of Dec. 31, 2015, it increased to $183,000, something he said was “really needed.” Palka added the township should strive for a fund balance here of 50 percent of operating expenses.

The township’s expenditures have not exceeded revenues since 2010 and since 2011, the township has increased the designated fund balance annually.

“I was very pleased with the results of the audit,” said Supervisor Kathy Thurman. “We’ve been working hard to control spending so that we can have stabler fund balances.”